May 5, 2026, 9:46 AM ET

Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid contributed only 14 points, four rebounds, and one assist in Monday's Game 1 blowout loss to the New York Knicks. Coming off a big Game 7 win over Boston on Saturday night, the 76ers lacked energy, and Embiid's performance perfectly summed up the entire team's effort. The former MVP made only three of 11 field-goal attempts and, for the second time in four games, failed to make a three-pointer. Most of Embiid's points came from the free-throw line, where he finished 8-for-9. Embiid leads Philadelphia with 25.2 points per game in the playoffs, but he has been limited to 42.4 percent field-goal efficiency, making just three of 22 attempts from deep. The Knicks could take down the 76ers quickly if Embiid's performance doesn't improve.--Taavi Pailk
Source: ESPN

May 5, 2026, 9:43 AM ET

Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers broke the rookie reception record in 2024 and came into 2025 as the TE1 in consensus dynasty rankings. Not to be outdone, Arizona's Trey McBride broke the tight end reception record with 126 grabs in 2025, momentarily pushing Bowers to TE2 in those same rankings. Over the course of the offseason, Bowers has reclaimed the top spot in RotoBaller's dynasty rankings, and he projects as a true difference-maker for the foreseeable future. Bowers injured his knee in the first game of the season, but continued playing through a PCL sprain and bone bruise, though he was visibly hampered until the team opted to rest him from Weeks 5 through 8. Upon his return, he scored 14.2 Half-PPR points per game, but with Vegas trending towards the first overall pick, he was eventually put on season-ending injured reserve before Week 17. While the Raiders spent the offseason building around that first overall pick, which officially became Fernando Mendoza in April, they added very few meaningful pass-catchers, with Jalen Nailor representing the biggest addition to a room led by Tre Tucker in 2025. With Bowers just seven targets away from leading the team while missing five games and never playing at full health, the expectation is that he could lap the field in 2026, giving him an extreme positional advantage and making the 23-year-old tight end one of the most valuable players in both redraft and dynasty leagues.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

May 5, 2026, 9:39 AM ET

San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Caleb Kilian closed out his team's 3-2 win on Monday night against the Padres. Kilian did give up a leadoff home run to Ramon Laureano in the ninth inning, but he struck out Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado to close out the win. He earned the first save of his MLB career and has an impressive 1.13 ERA through his first 16 innings this season, even though his 4.20 FIP indicates he could be due for some regression. Kilian has looked solid enough to get more work at the end of the game, despite the homer he gave up, so he's worth a speculative pickup in deep leagues in case he secures the job going forward.--Zach Thompson
Source: ESPN

May 5, 2026, 9:39 AM ET

New York Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson had an explosive start to the second-round series against the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday, leading all scorers with 35 points in 31 minutes. This was just nine points fewer than the total Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Paul George combined for Philadelphia. 27 of Brunson's points came in the first half. He finished 12-for-18 from the field and 3-for-6 from beyond the arc, while making all eight free-throw attempts. Brunson was busy scoring all night, so he had time for only three assists. He also recorded one rebound and two steals. Philadelphia limited Brunson to 23.0 points per game during the regular season, but he looks set to make a lot more noise in this playoff series, with a spot in the Eastern Conference Finals on the line.--Taavi Pailk
Source: ESPN

May 5, 2026, 9:33 AM ET

Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Gregory Soto got the call on Sunday in the eighth inning of a scoreless game against the Reds. He got the last out of the eighth inning by striking out TJ Friedl with the potential go-ahead run on 3B, and then the Pirates got him a run in the bottom half of the inning. Soto made it stand up by working a 1-2-3 ninth inning through the heart of the Reds order to get his first win of the season. Soto has an impressive 1.59 ERA and 2.44 FIP in his 17 games this season, with 23 strikeouts in 17 innings. He has six holds but only one save, while Dennis Santana leads the team with only two saves. The Pirates haven't generated many save chances this season, but if Soto continues to dominate, he should get a look as the team's top high-leverage arm. The lefty could still move around in the bullpen, but he's thrived in any role he's been asked to fill this season, making him worth a look in deep or NL-only leagues even without the full-time closer job secured.--Zach Thompson
Source: RotoBaller

May 5, 2026, 9:29 AM ET

San Antonio Spurs guard Dylan Harper led his team with 18 points in Monday's tough 104-102 Game 1 loss against the Minnesota Timberwolves. With Stephon Castle battling foul trouble, Harper had a chance to play a prominent role and enjoyed one of the best games of his first postseason. The 20-year-old rookie went 7-for-13 from the field and had a 1-for-4 record from outside. He grabbed four rebounds and dished out four assists. While Harper lacks experience, he has handled the pressure and intensity of the playoffs well. In six outings, Harper has amassed 13.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.2 assists, and 1.0 steals in 26.0 minutes per game.--Taavi Pailk
Source: ESPN

May 5, 2026, 9:25 AM ET

New England Patriots wide receiver Mack Hollins was an underrated piece of New England's deep playoff run, proving himself a trusted target to Drake Maye in some of the season's biggest moments. His 46 catches for 550 yards in 2025 were the second-highest totals of his nine-year career. Unfortunately, heading into 2026, his role in the offense is being squeezed in from all sides. The free agent acquisition of Romeo Doubs and a presumed trade for A.J. Brown will likely limit Hollins' opportunities in two-receiver sets, and while he spent nearly a quarter of his time in the slot in 2025, providing a bigger body who can help out in the running game, much of that role could be inherited by 2026 third-round pick Eli Raridon. The incoming rookie spent more time in the slot than as an inline tight end in his final, and most productive, season at Notre Dame. With Hunter Henry and 2025 third-round pick Kyle Williams still on the roster, some of the team's new additions finding the field could mean reduced opportunities for Hollins. The soon-to-be 33-year-old veteran will still have his moments, but outside of best ball formats, he will offer little upside from the end of the bench, and his sinking dynasty value is reflected by RotoBaller's WR147 ranking.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

May 5, 2026, 9:23 AM ET

Minnesota Timberwolves power forward Julius Randle bagged his first double-double of the 2026 postseason on Monday, contributing a team-high 21 points and 10 rebounds in a 104-102 victory over the San Antonio Spurs. He also had a pair of assists and one steal. Randle went 8-for-20 from the field, including 2-for-6 from downtown. So far, Randle's offensive efforts have steadily improved in the playoffs, but he's having trouble handling the ball. Monday's game marked the fourth consecutive outing for Randle with four or more turnovers. He accounted for half of the team's 10 turnovers in this game. Still, Randle has picked up positive momentum recently and has a key role to play against Victor Wembanyama's crew.--Taavi Pailk
Source: ESPN

May 5, 2026, 9:21 AM ET

Cincinnati Reds relief pitcher Emilio Pagan came into Monday night's game with a one-run lead against the Cubs, but the 34-year-old righty served up two runs on two hits and blew the save. Pete Crow-Armstrong greeted him with a triple, and after PCA scored on a sacrifice fly to tie the game, Michael Conforto delivered a pinch-hit, walk-off homer, handing Pagan his first loss of the season. Pagan has six saves on the season but also sports an ugly 6.43 ERA and 5.86 FIP, and he has allowed five runs in 3 2/3 innings over his last four games. Right now, Tony Santillan looks like a better option for Cincinnati, with his 2.45 ERA and 15 strikeouts in 14 2/3 innings. The Reds haven't announced a change, but it's definitely a situation worth monitoring if you have Pagan or are in the market for saves, since Santillan could quickly be worth a waiver wire look if he gets the job.--Zach Thompson
Source: ESPN

May 5, 2026, 9:18 AM ET

Minnesota Timberwolves guard/forward Anthony Edwards returned from a knee injury with an 18-point effort in Monday's 104-102 road win over the San Antonio Spurs. Edwards logged 25 minutes off the bench and scored 11 points in the fourth quarter. He finished an efficient 8-for-13 from the field, including 2-for-3 from downtown. Minnesota's star man blocked one shot and had three rebounds and three assists. Efficiency from the field has been an issue for Edwards this postseason, and it's a great sign for the Timberwolves that he found his rhythm in the second-round opener. It remains to be seen whether the team will also utilize Edwards off the bench in Game 2 on Wednesday night. Terrence Shannon Jr. did a good job as a starter in Edwards' place on Monday, notching 16 points, five rebounds, and one assist.--Taavi Pailk
Source: ESPN

May 5, 2026, 9:14 AM ET

Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Davis Martin beat the Angels and Jose Soriano for a second straight start on Monday night, allowing just five hits in seven shutout innings, with a season-high 10 strikeouts and no walks. Martin improved to 5-1 on the year with a 1.64 ERA and 2.46 FIP. He has allowed two earned runs or fewer in six straight outings and thrived both on the road and at home. The 29-year-old righty has 43 strikeouts in his 44 innings and has emerged as the ace of Chicago's young rotation. He's one of the top starting pitchers to add off the waiver wire if you can still grab him, and his next start is scheduled to be Sunday afternoon at home against the Mariners.--Zach Thompson
Source: ESPN

May 5, 2026, 9:13 AM ET

Cincinnati Bengals tight end Mike Gesicki had a quiet 2025 season, with his 42 targets and 28 receptions the lowest totals since his rookie campaign. Like most Bengals pass catchers, he struggled through the early portion of the season with Jake Browning replacing an injured Joe Burrow. While a mid-season trade for Joe Flacco was able to stabilize the offense, Gesicki missed the majority of Flacco's starts with a pectoral injury that landed him on injured reserve. Upon his return, six of his final seven games were again started by Burrow, and across those outings, Gesicki played as the TE15 in Half-PPR formats. While he will always slot behind Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins in the target pecking order, should one miss time, Gesicki has a history of stepping in as a top-two option in the passing game, giving him serious upside in one of the league's most high-powered offenses. He'll turn 31 in the opening weeks of the 2026 season, but Cincinnati added little competition through either free agency or the NFL Draft, and at RotoBaller's dynasty TE47, he's a low-cost depth piece who can offer a serious ceiling under the right circumstances.--Patrick McGrath
Source: RotoBaller

May 5, 2026, 9:10 AM ET

San Antonio Spurs forward/center Victor Wembanyama opened the second-round series against the Minnesota Timberwolves with a triple-double, finishing a 104-102 loss with 11 points, 15 rebounds, and a record-setting 12 blocks. No player in NBA history had recorded as many blocks in a playoff game. Wembanyama became only the third player to register a triple-double with blocks in the postseason. His spectacular defensive effort made up for his offensive shortcomings. Wembanyama missed all eight three-point attempts and finished 5-for-17 overall from the field. In 40 minutes on the floor, Wembanyama also tallied five assists. The French superstar should be determined to improve his offensive output in Game 2.--Taavi Pailk
Source: ESPN

May 5, 2026, 8:42 AM ET

Anaheim Ducks defenseman Jackson LaCombe continued his debut postseason campaign with another productive outing on Monday night against the Vegas Golden Knights, recording an assist in a 3-1 loss. He set up Mikael Granlund for the game-tying tally in the third period, but the Golden Knights quickly responded with a controversial Ivan Barbashev goal, and Anaheim couldn't recover from a second deficit. It was a record-setting performance for LaCombe, who became the fastest player in franchise history to reach 10 postseason points. With one goal and nine assists in seven games, the 25-year-old has also tied a league record for the fewest games needed by a defenseman to register 10 career playoff points.--Taavi Pailk
Source: ESPN

May 5, 2026, 8:34 AM ET

Anaheim Ducks forward Mikael Granlund scored his third goal of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs in Monday's 3-1 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights. The Finnish forward tied the game 13:57 into the third period, giving him seven points in seven games this postseason. Last season, Granlund amassed a career-high 10 playoff points with the Dallas Stars and has a good chance to set a new scoring record for the second consecutive year. However, three of his seven points, including two goals, have come on the power play, and among the remaining teams, Vegas has the strongest penalty kill at 95.8 percent.--Taavi Pailk
Source: ESPN

May 5, 2026, 8:26 AM ET

Vegas Golden Knights forward Mitchell Marner tallied a goal and an assist as the team kicked off its second-round series against the Anaheim Ducks with a 3-1 victory on Monday night. Marner's work helped Brett Howden open the scoring early in the second period, and the former Maple Leaf wrapped up Vegas' fourth consecutive win in the playoffs with an empty-net goal. Marner has produced three goals and four assists during the Golden Knights' winning run. Seven games into the postseason, he has been scoreless only once, sitting on nine points (three goals, six assists). Marner has been Vegas' leading scorer alongside Jack Eichel. In Game 2 against the Ducks, Marner will seek his first five-game playoff point streak since 2023.--Taavi Pailk
Source: ESPN

May 5, 2026, 8:22 AM ET

Ben Griffin is moving up the world rankings inside the top 20 (16th). The American golfer has consecutive top-10 results, including a stand-alone third-place finish at the Cadillac Championship last week. Griffin did have a March to forget, as he struggled in Florida. However, he began to bounce back as his total strokes gained wandered back into positive territory. Griffin's scoring average is 31st on tour at 69.76. Unfortunately, some concerns are out there. His driving accuracy ranks 25th at 62.89%, and he will need to stay close to the tour average like last week (only minus-2.3 yards). If his approaches are near average, Griffin has a chance to contend again. If not, he becomes a fade in most DFS lineups.--Chris Wassel - RotoBaller
Source: PGATour.com

May 5, 2026, 8:19 AM ET

Carolina Hurricanes left wing Taylor Hall sent fans into raptures with the game-winning goal in Monday's 3-2 overtime victory against the Philadelphia Flyers. The Hurricanes had to rally from a 2-0 deficit to keep a perfect playoff record. Hall established a new franchise record with a six-game postseason-opening point streak. The 2018 MVP has turned back the clock, amassing nine points (three goals, six assists) in six games this postseason. Another major milestone is on the horizon for Hall, as he can match the fourth-longest playoff point streak in Hurricanes history in Game 3 on Thursday.--Taavi Pailk
Source: ESPN

May 5, 2026, 8:14 AM ET

Rickie Fowler has two straight top-10 results. The American golfer has performed well in 2026 aside from two blips in Texas (missed cut). He did finish 10 strokes off the lead at Doral, but Cameron Young also won the event by six strokes. Courses like Quail Hollow (7,538 yards) do not phase Fowler, as Doral is more than 250 yards longer. Also, this is a par 71, which may help. Fowler's approach game has been much better in 2026, with five aggressively positive events, including more than a stroke gained in back-to-back tournaments. With a solid putts per round (27.92 - 29th) and even better proximity (under 200 yards - 22nd), Fowler may contend again, making him a good betting choice.--Chris Wassel - RotoBaller
Source: PGATour.com

May 5, 2026, 8:09 AM ET

Carolina Hurricanes winger Nikolaj Ehlers had a big role in Monday's 3-2 comeback win against the Philadelphia Flyers, finishing with a goal and an assist. With Carolina 2-0 down on home ice in Game 2 of the second-round series, Ehlers scored a power-play goal and assisted Seth Jarvis on the game-tying goal during even-strength play. Then Taylor Hall completed the comeback in overtime. This was Ehlers' fifth multi-point game in 50 career playoff outings. Postseason hockey hasn't suited him well, and his numbers aren't looking great this year either. In five appearances, Ehlers has recorded one goal and two assists. Game 3 presents Ehlers with a chance to score multiple points in consecutive playoff games for the first time in his 11-year NHL career.--Taavi Pailk
Source: ESPN

May 5, 2026, 8:01 AM ET

Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar (undisclosed) will play in Game 2 against the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday, Aarif Deen of Colorado Hockey Now reports. In the series opener, Makar was injured early in the game and missed most of the first period. However, he finished the game and had a big impact, scoring two goals and adding an assist in a 9-6 victory. After a slow start in the playoffs, Makar has put together a three-game point streak. Overall, he has notched four goals and one assist in five games. On Tuesday, he will aim to record his first four-game postseason point streak since the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs.--Taavi Pailk
Source: Aarif Deen

May 5, 2026, 8:00 AM ET

Gary Woodland has been on a nice run over the past five events. The American golfer has been inside the Top 40 including a win at the Texas Children's Houston Open. Another positive development has been his final round play during this span (70 or better). Woodland has turned quite a few metrics green and his driving distance (323.1 yards) still ranks second. Accuracy may not be the best (55.85% - 112th) but he averages only 28 putts per round for Round 1 and 4. That may bode well this week. When his approach to the green gains greater than one stroke lately, Woodland has contended. From a DFS and betting perspective, Woodland is a golfer to look at for at least Thursday and Sunday. --Chris Wassel - RotoBaller
Source: PGATour.com

May 5, 2026, 7:54 AM ET

Ottawa Senators forward Ridly Greig won't be available for a couple of games at the start of the 2026-27 season after receiving a suspension. He was handed a two-game suspension for roughing Carolina Hurricanes defenseman Sean Walker in Game 4 of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs first-round series on April 25. Graig contributed one assist in four games against Carolina. He posted a career-high 35 points (13 goals, 22 assists) in 77 regular-season appearances. While Greig has been effective in his role with the Senators, he doesn't offer much fantasy value.--Taavi Pailk
Source: NHL.com

May 5, 2026, 7:47 AM ET

Sepp Straka has won four times on the PGA Tour. The Austrian golfer claimed one of those triumphs at the Truist Championship. Naturally, that was when the tournament was up in Philadelphia. Quail Hollow was hosting the PGA Championship last year. Straka is playing on a course that corresponds favorably to Charlotte. His greens in regulation percentage has heated up to 67.12% - 47th. Furthermore, his driver accuracy has been greater than 5% above average over the past two events. Straka is still +118 via DraftKings for a Top 20 and +300 for a Top 10. It is the latter that could have more value from a betting point of view. --Chris Wassel - RotoBaller
Source: PGATour.com

May 5, 2026, 7:29 AM ET

J.J. Spaun had the whole world looking at him going into 2026. The American golfer did not have the best of starts. Missing several cuts and a big drop in putting were the main culprits. However, his strokes gained to approach spiked at THE Players Championship (1.48). Since then, Spaun won the Texas Valero Open and has Top 25 results from the RBC Heritage and Cadillac Championship. Again, the main concern is that putter (150th with -0.597 strokes gained). The improvement in driver accuracy (62.66% - 30th) and greens in regulation (67.65% - 40th). His final round scoring average of 68.5 (10th) makes him a DFS weekend option at a minimum as he could be in contention too. --Chris Wassel - RotoBaller
Source: PGATour.com

May 5, 2026, 7:02 AM ET

Alex Smalley has been enjoying a nice run the previous four events. The American golfer has consecutive Top 10 results including last week's Cadillac Championship. Smalley has been consistent with six Top 25 outcomes. He drives the ball well enough at 306.2 yards (57th) but it is the strokes gained to approach which ranks 16th. That includes hitting greens 70.37% of the time in regulation (10th). Creating opportunities has been Smalley's biggest asset. The extra chances have boosted his scoring average to 69.57 (19th on Tour). Smalley is +160 to finish inside the Top 20 via DraftKings and his ability to gain strokes on approach makes him a viable option at Charlotte. --Chris Wassel - RotoBaller
Source: PGATour.com

May 5, 2026, 6:38 AM ET

Nicolai Hojgaard makes golf far from dull. The Danish golfer started off poorly at Doral with a 75 then went back and forth the entire weekend. He did nearly backdoor into a Top 20 behind a sparkling 66 on Sunday. The problem is since the Masters Tournament, Hojgaard has struggled putting consecutive rounds together. Some go back further to the Texas Children's Houston Open where the golfer from Denmark had a T-2 but many feel he could have won. Either way, from a betting and DFS standpoint, Hojgaard could easily surprise but his volatility means a likely fade this week for the Truist Championship. --Chris Wassel - RotoBaller
Source: PGATour.com

May 5, 2026, 6:27 AM ET

Keegan Bradley largely struggled at the Cadillac Championship. The American golfer finished just inside the Top 50 after a 72-73 start. The good thing was the event at Doral was a non-cut tournament. With the Truist Championship returning to Quail Hollow, the signature event goes back to a Par-71. At 7,538 yards, the Charlotte course. When this was the Wells Fargo Championship, Bradley even finished T-2 in 2022 and had a few Top 25 results. For Bradley, his driving distance and accuracy both rank 60th or better. It boils down to putting where Bradley has a respectable 28.41 putts per round (68th). He may be a reasonable DFS option for this signature event. --Chris Wassel - RotoBaller
Source: PGATour.com

May 5, 2026, 12:10 AM ET

Toronto Blue Jays outfielder/designated hitter George Springer (foot) should be good to play in Tuesday's contest against the division-rival Tampa Bay Rays, manager John Schneider told Mitch Bannon of The Athletic. Springer was hit by a pitch on his left foot on Saturday and has been held out of action for the last two games, but the Blue Jays considered using him as a pinch-hitter in Monday's series opener against the Rays. The 36-year-old veteran and four-time All-Star has already been on the injured list in 2026 with a fractured toe, so the Blue Jays are hoping he can put the injury bug behind him moving forward and get going offensively. Springer surprised nearly everyone last year by hitting .309/.399/.560 with a .956 OPS, 32 home runs, 84 RBI, 18 stolen bases, and 106 runs scored in 140 regular-season games before leading the Jays to a World Series appearance. So far this year, though, he's struggled to a .212 average (14-for-66) with two homers and seven RBI in a small sample size of just 18 games.--Keith Hernandez
Source: The Athletic - Mitch Bannon

May 5, 2026, 12:02 AM ET

The Kansas City Royals announced on Monday night that left-hander Noah Cameron (back) will be scratched from his scheduled start on Tuesday against the Cleveland Guardians due to lower-back tightness. Right-hander Stephen Kolek (oblique) will be activated from the 15-day injured list to start in place of Cameron on Tuesday. It's been a rough start to Cameron's second year in the big leagues, as he currently is sporting a 5.40 ERA (4.47 FIP) and 1.61 WHIP with 28 strikeouts and 11 walks in 31 2/3 innings across his six starts for the Royals. It's unclear as of now if the Royals will just skip one of Cameron's starts or if he'll have to go on the IL and miss several turns in the starting rotation. The 26-year-old southpaw had solid numbers on the surface in his rookie campaign in 2025, going 9-7 with a 2.99 ERA (4.18 FIP), 1.09 WHIP, and 114:43 K:BB in 138 1/3 frames across his 24 starts. Fantasy managers in mixed leagues who have Cameron rostered shouldn't feel forced to hang onto him, especially if he goes on the IL.--Keith Hernandez
Source: Kansas City Royals